Method of a probing scatterer for the diagnostics of the spatial structureof coherent light fields

A method of a probing scatterer for the diagnostics of a coherent light fie ld is proposed, which enables one to transform the spatial distribution of amplitude and phase of a light field to a time-modulated response of a "poi nt" photodetector. This, in particular, makes it possible to abandon the us e of a distributed photosensitive medium (photoplate) for recording the lig ht field and analyze the wavefront structure by radioelectronic means. Theo retical grounds of the method of a probing scatterer are given, an optical system for its realization is proposed, the effect of parameters of the opt ical system on the accuracy of the method is analyzed, and an estimate of t ransmission power of the method is presented.